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The first auction market of “Yubari” melons, a speciality of Yubari-city, Hokkaido, was performed in the Central Wholesale Market in Sapporo-city, Hokkaido this month. Yubari-melons are the most popular melon in Japan. These melons are valued for their sweet taste and are typically given as gifts during the summer.
During the first auction, a pair of the highest grade Yubari melons sold to a local department store for 2 million yen (approximately $23,000 US). Usually, the market price of one melon retails between 6,000 to 7,000 yen (approximately $60 to $70 US). However, in recent years, higher prices for these melons are obtained during the first auction of the year. Incidentally last year, the price of two melons sold for 800,000 yen (around $8,000 US).
Yubari-city has serious financial difficulties and it is thought that the high prices for the melons are to help support the city.
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